Tank construction



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My F illdflw MI, r ll. 4 21 W w 4 A m m m w m M. L. GREEN TANK QONSTRUCTION Fired Oct. 22, 1965 Jan. 2, 1968 ATTORNEY United States Patent C)3,360,895 TANK CONSTRUCTION Murray L. Green, Glen Cove, N.Y., assignorto Ford Products Corporation, Tarrytown, N.Y., a corporation of New YorkFiled Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 502,242 8 Claims. (Cl. 52-249) ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to a stone lined tank whichstructurally has a steel outer shell which has an upper head and abottom head provided with a metal lining. The lined bottom head has alower edge in communication with the lower edge of the steel outershell. A barrier plate is disposed around the lower portion of the tankbetween the steel outer shell and the lower edge of the lined bottomhead extends upwardly therefrom. A welded seam joins the lined bottomhead to the barrier plate and the steel outer shell such that thebarrier plate is disposed between the interior of the tank and the steelouter shell. A stone lining is disposed around the interior of the steelouter shell and surrounds said barrier plate.

The present invention relates to steel tanks and more particularly to ameans for reinforcing a stone lined steel tank.

Heretofore it has been known in the art of stone lined storage tanksthat many inadequacies have been found. Such tanks are often heated byan external heat source and of necessity are provided with an area whichis not internally stone lined. This unlined area is provided so that anon-insulated heat transfer area may be provided for the interior of thetank. The heat transfer area is generally disposed at the bottom of thetank.

It may be seen therefore that a tank has been provided in which theinterior of the steel tanks were provided with side walls which werestone lined and also a non-ferrous bottom surface. The prior artpractices further provided that the non-ferrous material was placed overthe lower head of a tank and squeezed between the lapped end of thesteel shell of the tank. The steel head and steel side shell of the tankwere then welded and thereafter the tank stone lined such that only theside walls and top head were so lined.

With this manner of construction, however, water in the tank was able toseep behind the stone lining at the joint of the non-ferrous materialand steel shell. One of the primary reasons for this may be seen in thatthe tank breathes (expands and contracts) because of internal pressurevariations and because of this continuous expansion and contraction thestone lining at the lower most point on the side walls of the tankbegins to crack allowing water to infiltrate behind the stone liningthereby causing a further deterioration of the stone lining andpermitting the joint to be attacked by the water seepage. Thecombination breathing effect and the attack by the water seepage hasoften led to the loosening of the joint and subsequent failure of thetank.

Another form of deterioration is found in electrolytic corrosion whichessentially arises because of the interaction of the non-ferrous liningand the steel shell of the tank. When the stone lining cracks thepresence of a nonferrous metal, steel shell and water causes a chemicalreaction which attacks the steel shell, and any welded seam which may bepresent, thereby further contributing to the deterioration and failureof the tank.

A further difficulty results from the accumulation of sediment at thebottom of the tank which aggravates the water seepage and concomitantloosening of the joint.

This may occur because the accumulation of sediment creates anoverheating problem in the tank which leads to an accelerateddeterioration of the stone lining at the base of the tank which in turnleads to the loosening of the joint of the non-ferrous and steel outershell, of the tank.

It is the general object of the present invention to avoid and overcomethe foregoing and other diificulties of and objections to prior artpractices by the provision of a sturdy and economical barrier means atthe base of the tank.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-ferrousreinforcing lining to aid in preventing the deterioration of the stonelining.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a barrierinternally of the tank to prevent the loosening of the joint between thenon-ferrous tank bottom and the steel shell of the tank.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcedstone lining in a tank which will negate the attack of a welded joint bywater seepage.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide areinforced stone lining in a tank which will provide a degree offlexibility when the tank breathes thereby minimizing the looseningeffect at the welded joint of the tank.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofconstructing a stone lined tank having a portion of the stone liningreinforced.

The aforementioned objects of the present invention, and other objectswhich will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved byproviding a stone lined tank comprising a steel outer shell, said tankbeing provided with an upper head portion, a bottom head being providedwith a non-ferrous metal lining disposed in the lower portion of thetank, said bottom head having a lower edge in communication with thelower edge of the steel outer shell, a barrier plate disposed around thelower portion of the tank between the steel outer shell and the loweredge of the lined bottom head and extending upwardly therefrom, a weldedseam joining the lined bottom head to said barrier plate and said steelouter shell such that the barrier plate is disposed between the interiorof the tank and the steel outer shell, and a stone lining disposedaround the interior of said steel outer shell surrounding said barrierplate.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference should behad to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of referenceindicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorial representation of a stone lined tank.

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of the tank taken along line 22 ofFIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment,

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view of yet another alternativeembodiment, and

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal section taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

With specific reference to the form of the present invention illustratedin the drawings, and referring particularly to FIGURE 1, a steeljacketed tank is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.

In order to insure the structural integrity of the tank 10 the outershell 12 may be comprised of steel. The tank 10 may be provided with anupper head portion 14 and a bottom head 16, as is well known to thoseskilled in the art. The tank 10 may further be provided with an inletand outlet means (not shown) as required, however, the disposition ofsuch inlet or outlet forms no part of the present invention.

A barrier plate 18 may be provided in the lower portion 20 of the tankand may be in communication with the bottom head 16 and the outer shell12. As shown in FIG- URE 2 the bottom head 16 and the outer shell 12 maybe joinedby a welded seam 22 with the barrier plate 18 sandwichedbetween the steel outer shell 12 and the bottom head 16. The barrierplate 18 may extend upwardly along the vertical walls 24 interiorly ofthe tank 10. Further, the barrier plate 18 may be angled slightly towardthe interior of the tank entirely around the lower portion 20 of thetank 10. Structurally therefore, the barrier plate 18 may be utilized toprevent water seepage from reaching the steel outer shell 12 of the tank18 in the lower portion 20 thereof.

' The bottom head 16 of the tank 10 is comprised of a steel outer shellportion and further may be provided with a lining 19 of non-ferrousmaterial such as copper or the like while the barrier plate 18 may be ofa similar material which exhibits resistance to corrosion when incontact with water. Yet another desirable feature of the nonferrousmaterial is its flexibility without sacrifice of its durability.

structurally, the interior vertical walls 24 may be provided with astone lining 26 which may, if desired, extend over the interior of theupper head portion 14. It should be noted, however, that the interior ofthe bottom head 16 is maintained free of such stone lining 26 so that anuninhibited heat transfer area 28 is provided between an externalheating source (not shown) and the interior of the tank 10.

As shown in FIGURE 2 the stone lining 26 in the lower portion 20 of thetank 10 may engulf the barrier plate 18 which extends partially. up theinterior of the vertical side walls 24 of the tank 10. Therefore, thebarrier plate 18 extending upwardly from the welded seam 22 acts as aguard to prevent any water, which may be accumulated in the lowerportion 20 of the tank 10, from coming into contact with the interior ofthe steel outer shell 12 thereby preventing deterioration of the outershell 12 which would lead to leakage problems. Should the stone lining26 become porous or crack, in the lower portion 20 of the tank, thebarrier plate 18 may prevent water from attacking the interior of thesteel outer shell 12, at the welded seam 22,. and further prevent thewelded seam 22 from becoming loosened as a result of the deteriorationor corrosion of the steel outer shell 12. Furthermore, with thisstructure, electrolytic corrosion may be minimized and it may be seenthat sediment, which may accumulate in the lower portion 20 of the tank10, will also be prevented from attacking the interior of the steelouter shell 12 because of the imposition of the barrier plate 18.

In order to provide a more secure bond between the barrier plate 18 andthe steel outer shell 12 another welded, braised or soldered seam 30 maybe provided in the interior of the tank 10 at the immediate or first contact point of the barrier plate 18 and the non-ferrous lining 19 of thebottom head 16. With this added seam 30, a further preventative measuremay be provided to prevent the attack of water seepage upon the weldedseam 22.It should be noted however, that the added seam 30 is anoptional measure and is not a strict requirement of the presentinvention.

The method of making such a stone lined tank may also be viewed, sincethe positioning of the barrier plate 18 is of the utmost importance. Inso constructing the tank as hereinabove described, the tank ispositioned to receive the barrier plate 18, the barrier plate 18 isplaced inside the tank 10 so that its lower edge 32 may be approximatelyeven with the lower edge 34 of the steel outer shell 12. The linedbottom head 16 is placed interiorly of the barrier plate 18 and iswelded, by means of a welded seam 22 around the bottom of the tank 10,and the tank is thereafter stone lined. With this method ofconstruction, the tank 10 is structurally sound and the members,comprising such tank are placed in position so that all the members arenot subjected to undue stresses during the stone lining operation.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that alternatively,the barrier plate 18" may be fabricated and placed flush against theinterior of the vertical wall 24 of the steel outer shell 12 of the tank10, as shown in FIG- URE 4. In this manner the barrier plate 18" is usedas a lining for the lower portion 28 of the tank 18 and is interposedbetween the stone lining 26 and the vertical wall 24 of the steel outershell 12.

Yet another alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG- URES 3 and 5, maybe provided in corrugating the barrier plate 18' thereby providingadditional contact area with the stone lining 26.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects ofthe present invention have been achieved by providing a stone lined tankhaving a reinforcing plate in communication with the outer shell toprevent water seepage from corroding the outer shell and further toprevent loosening of the welded seam in the lower portion of the tank.

While in accordance with the patent statutes preferred and alternativeembodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and describedin detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto or thereby.

I claim:

1. A stone lined tank, comprising a steel outer shell, said tank beingprovided with an upper head portion, a bottom head being provided with anon-ferrous metal lining disposed in the lower portion of the tank, saidlined bottom head having a lower edge in communication with the loweredge of the steel outer shell, a barrier plate disposed around the lowerportion of the tank between the steel outer shell and the lower edge ofsaid lined bottom head and extending upwardly therefrom, a welded seamjoining said lined bottom head to said barrier plate and said steelouter shell such that the barrier plate is disposed between the interiorof the tank and the steel outer shell, and a stone lining disposedaround the interior of said steel outer shell and surrounding saidbarrier plate.

2. A stone lined tank comprising a steel outer shell, said stone linedtank being provided with an upper head portion, a bottom head in thelower portion of the tank, said bottom head being provided with aninterior lining of non-ferrous metal, said lined bottom head having alower edge in communication with the lower edge of said steel outershell, a barrier plate composed of non-ferrous metal disposed interiorlyof said steel outer shell around the lower portion of the tank betweenthe steel outer shell and the lower edge of said lined bottom head andextending upwardly therefrom, said barrier plate being tilted toward theinterior of the tank, a welded seam joining the lower edge of said steelouter shell such that the barrier plate is disposed between the interiorof the tank and the steel outer shell, and a stone lining disposedaround the interior of said steel outer shell and surrounding saidbarrier plate.

3. A stone lined tank according to claim 2 wherein said barrier plate iscorrugated.

4. A stone lined tank comprising a steel outer shell, said tank beingprovided with an upper head portion, a bottom head being provided with anon-ferrous metal lining disposed in the lower portion of the tank, saidlined bottom head having a lower edge in communication with the loweredge of the steel outer shell, a barrier plate disposed around the lowerportion of the tank between the steel outer shell and the lower edge ofsaid lined bottom head and extending upwardly therefrom, said barrierplate fitting flush against the interior of the steel outer shell, awelded seam joining said lined bottom head to said barrier plate andsaid steel outer shell such that the barrier plate is disposed betweenthe interior of the tank and the steel outer shell, and a stone liningdisposed around the 5 interior of said steel outer shell and coveringsaid barrier plate.

5. A stone lined tank comprising a steel outer shell, said tank beingprovided with an upper head portion, a bottom head being provided with anon-ferrous metal lining disposed in the lower portion of the tank, saidbottom head having a lower edge in communication with the lower edge ofthe steel outer shell, said bottom head being provided with anon-ferrous metal lining, a barrier plate disposed around the lowerportion of the tank between the steel outer shell and the lower edge ofsaid lined bottom head and extending upwardly therefrom, said barrierplate fitting flush against the interior of the steel outer shell, awelded seam joining said lined bottom head to said barrier plate andsaid steel outer shell such that the barrier plate is disposed betweenthe interior of the tank and the steel outer shell, and a stone liningdisposed around the interior of said steel outer shell and covering saidbarrier plate.

6. A stone lined tank comprising a steel outer shell, said stone linedtank being provided with an upper head portion, a bottom head in thelower portion of the tank, said bottom head being provided with aninterior lining, non-ferrous metal, said bottom head with said lininghaving their lower edges in communication with the lower edge of saidsteel outer shell, a barrier plate composed of non-ferrous materialdisposed interiorly of said steel outer shell around the lower portionof the tank between the steel outer shell and the lower edge of saidlined bottom head and extending upwardly therefrom, said barrier platebeing tilted toward the interior of the tank, a welded seam joining thelower edge of said lined bottom head to said barrier plate and the loweredge of said steel outer shell such that the barrier plate is disposedbetween the interior of the tank and the steel outer shell, and a stonelining disposed around the interior of said steel outer shell andsurrounding said barrier plate.

7. A stone lined tank according to claim 5 wherein said barrier plate iscorrugated.

8. A method of making a stone lined tank comprising of the steps of,placing a non-ferrous barrier plate interiorly of a steel outer shell,positioning a non-ferrous metal lined bottom head interiorly of saidsteel outer shell so that the barrier plate is between said bottom headand said steel outer shell, welding the bottom head to the barrier plateand the steel outer shell at their lower edges, and stone lining theinterior of said tank without having any stone lining on the bottomhead.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,232,366 2/1941 Chappell.2,316,437 4/ 1943 Kercher 22063 2,866,742 12/1958 Sutton 12213 X CHARLESJ. MYHRE, Primary Examiner.

